>> a front brake light provides an essential visual cue that a car is slowing down or preparing to stop. When the light is extinguished, it indicates that a sta

>> a front brake light provides an essential visual cue that a car is slowing down or preparing to stop. When the light is extinguished, it indicates that a stationary vehicle might initiate movement Written by someone who does not drive a manual transmission, or live in the mountains. Brakelights, at best, state that a car is undergoing some degree of braking forces. Anything more is a very dangerous assumption. Cars can accellerate with thier brakes on, and can remain stopped with them off. (Also, every motorcycle on a flat surface uses their feet to stay stopped at long lights.) Cars start moving with brakelights on all the time, especially with automatic transmissions where it can take significant force to keep the transmission in check. And hills. A better light might be one that changes in intensity with brake pedal force, so pedestrians can see when an inattentive driver is about to take thier foot off the brake.